Depending on where you live, you know there's a chance ofextreme weather coming your way.
|Certain states have garnered a reputation over the year fornatural disasters — hurricanes in Texas and Florida,earthquakes in California, and so on. Although some elements aremore likely to strike in select areas, there is one that can occurat any time, at any place: fire.
Related: Wildfires: An expanding threat?
|"Even if you're not in an area that's traditionally at threatfor catastrophic fire loss, it can still happen," saidGeorge Hosfield, senior director at LexisNexis RiskSolutions. "Fire is one of those perils that candestroy your home."
|Fires are considered a non-catastrophe eventin most cases, but they can cross the threshold and be considered acatastrophe. Some ZIP codes in the West are prone to fire becauseof the wind and air, while other ZIP codes are prone to lightning,which can lead to fires, presenting a significant risk tohomeowners in the area.
|Related: More extreme weather coming after record 2016 heat,WMO says
|No matter where you live, homeowners should consider this typeof coverage, especially because, as Hosfield points out, a fire isgoing to be covered by a home insurance policy.
|Using fire events data by ZIP code for the period covering 2011to 2016, LexisNexis Risk Solutions was able to determine whichareas ranked highest based on loss cost andfrequency.
||
The Laurel Point Resort in Gatlinburg, Tennesee enduredextreme structural damage following the Gatlinburg wildfire.(Photo: Associated Press/Erik Schelzig)
|Top ZIP codes for catastrophe events
10. Breezy Point, N.Y. (11697)
9. Methow, Wash. (98834)
8. Colorado Springs, Colo. (80919)
7. Pateros, Wash. (98846)
6. Gatlinburg, Tenn. (37738)
|
Related: The Gatlinburg Wildfire: Working inside theinferno
||
A firefighting plane drops fire retardant over a hillside inMiddletown, California. (Photo: Associated Press/ElaineThompson)
5. Colorado Springs, Colo. (80908)
4. Mokelumne Hill, Calif. (95245)
3. Hidden Valley Lake, Calif. (95467)
2. Mountain Ranch, Calif. (95246)
1. Middletown, Calif. (95461)
|
Related: Latest explosive California wildfire destroysdozens of homes [slideshow]
||
The skies in Phoenix brighten as lightning strikes in July2017. According to LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Georgia experiencedthe highest loss cost, frequency and severity for lightning events.(Photo: Associated Press/Chirag A. Patel)
|Top ZIP codes for non-catastrophe events
10. Chicago, Ill. (60628)
9. Memphis, Tenn. (38125)
8. Macon, Ga. (31210)
7. Birmingham, Ala. (35215)
6. Hereford, Ariz. (85615)
|
Related: Fires affect Canadian lumber mills, get close toKinder pipeline 
Lightning strikes close to the barn of the Taylor farm nearLawrence, Kansas. Hosfield suggests keeping an eye on the flammablematerial near your home — firewood, dry vegetation,shrubbery and pine needles, among others. (Photo: AssociatedPress/Orlin Wagner)
5. Barrington, Ill. (60010)
4. Colorado Springs, Colo. (80919)
3. Wenatchee, Wash. (98801)
2. Colorado Springs, Colo. (80908)
1. Gatlinburg, Tenn. (37738)
|
Related: At least 29 large wildfires ravage Western states[slideshow]
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